In 2011, an estimated 207,600 Indigenous people were in the labour force (i.e. either employed or unemployed). This represents a labour force participation rate for all Indigenous people aged 15 years and over of 55%.

Of the Indigenous people in the labour force, more lived in Regional areas (90,000 people) than in Major Cities (72,200) or Remote areas (45,400). However, the participation rate was 59% in Major Cities, compared with 56% in Regional areas and 49% in Remote Areas.

Males accounted for 55% of the Indigenous labour force and the labour force participation rate for Indigenous males (62%) was significantly higher than the participation rate for Indigenous females (49%).

The participation rate for Indigenous people aged 25-44 years in 2011 (64%) was significantly higher than the rate for Indigenous people aged 15-24 years (51%) and 45 and over (47%).

PARTICIPATION RATE, Indigenous persons aged 15 years and over – 2005 to 2011

For more detailed estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander labour force participation, refer to Tables 1 to 5 (available in Downloads).